BSP minister in Karnataka quits his post, says 'need to strengthen party base' ahead of Lok Sabha election

Bengaluru: The lone Bahujan Samaj Party (BSP) Minister N Mahesh in the JD(S)-Congress government in Karnataka on Thursday  quit his position citing personal reasons, but said he would continue to support the ruling coalition. [caption id=“attachment_5362081” align=“alignleft” width=“380”] File image of N Mahesh. News18[/caption] Speaking to reporters after submitting his resignation to Chief Minister HD Kumaraswamy, the minister for primary and secondary education said he quit to focus more on his assembly constituency Kollegal and to strengthen his party ahead of Lok Sabha elections. “There had been a campaign against me in my constituency that I have campaigned in Bengaluru and was not focusing on Kollegal. Also, there was a need to strengthen the party base ahead of the Lok Sabha elections,” said Mahesh. Mahesh vowed to continue his support to the coalition government and said he would campaign for the Janata Dal (Secular) JD(S) during the by-polls for three Lok Sabha and two assembly seats on 3 November. “I do not have any grudge against anybody in the government. As a minister I did my best and toured across the state. This resignation is purely due to personal reasons,” Mahesh said.